Water heater



' Panarea am. 25, 1927.

and heated.

j UNITED STATES 1,615,486 PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE FRANK nEIcnnAN, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

WATER' HEATER.

Application filed Iarch 11, 1924. l Serial No. 698,365.

It is the principal object of my invention to provide a source of hot'water adapted for permanent connection with Athe service pipes in a dwelling, and my improvements relate to heaters including means to maintain a fire of solid or other fuel, of any kind, within a vessel in which the water is contained As hereinafter described, my invention includes a heater comprising three sections,

respectively base, intermediate and top, lit` ted one on top of the other. The base section is constructed and arranged to contain and support heating means', comprising a burnerfor coal or other fuel. `The intermediate section comprises an inner tubular,

shell forming a fuel and combustion chamber, surrounded by an 'outer tubular shell forming a water chamber 4between saidshells. The top section, which is fitted 'upon said intermediate section and covers said combustion chamber, includes a central axial tube forming a flue for the products of com.

bustion from the intermedlate section, and an outer tubular lshell connected with said flue tube so as to form a water chamber between said tube-and shell. The water to be heated is supplied to said intermediate section and the latter is connected 'by a coupling pipe or pipes t'o the upper section and the heated wat-er dispensed through the latter.

Said section containing thea combustion chamber has heat conductin metal ribs projectmg inwardly fromits mner shell, into -said fuel chamber, and protective lining slabs of refractory material, fitted between said ribs; whereb said inner shell is protected, by said s abs, but heat is' directly conducted to said water chamber by said ribs, and such construction may be used in In said figures; the base section ljwhich.

incloses the ash pit 2 is conveniently formed of cast iron and provided with-the hinged for coal or other fuel.

verticall door 3. Said base section is arranged to support heating means comprising a burner For instance, said sectlon may have grate bearings 5 at the top thereof tosupport the sectional grate comprising two normally stationary sections 6 upon opposite sides of the tiltable section 7; the latter having trunnions 9 and 10 respectively `at itsfront and reap; said trunion 9 being shaped as indicated in Fig. I, to be engaged by a levei` wrench to rock it.

The intermediate heater section 12, which@ -is also convenientlyformed of cast iron,

comprises the inner cylindrical shell 13 in` closing the fuel chamber 14; and the combustion chamber I5. The outerk cylindrical shell 17 is connected. withsaid inner shell v13 as best shown in'Fig. II, scf-as to form the Water chamber 18 between them. Said intermediate section 12 has a circular series ,of heat conducting metal partition ribs 2() in unitar' relation with, and ro- ]'ect-ing inwar ly from, said inner she 13 into said fuel chamber 14 and extending to the height of the latter. Protective ining slabs of refractory material 21 are fitted between said ribs 20 in a circular series, as shown in FigzIII; whereby said inner shell 13 is protected from direct contact with the fuel 23 which is silp to saidwvater chamber '18 by said ribs 20.

`rlhe fuel doorway 24 extends through both said shells 13 and l17 of'v said intermediate section above .said ribs 20 and slabs 21, and

.is conveniently provided Awith the hinged door 25'.

The wrought metal top section 26 includes the annular dome 27 covering said combustion chamber 15 and in rigidconnection withthe single central'axal tube '28 forming a Hue from said intermediate section. The outer cylindrical shell 29 of said top section is connected with said iiue tube 28 so as to form la Water chamber 30 between them.l I find it convenient to provide the upper end of said flue tube 28 with a removable and adjustable damper bonnet 32 having, three branches 33, 34 and 35 respectively provided with rotary dampers 36, 37 and 38. It is to be understood that any one of vsaid bonnet branches may be connected to said flue pipe 28 and an ordinary stove pipe be connected with either or both of the other branches leading to a chimney either directly or through auxiliary heater drums, and' said rted by said grate, but heat is directly con uctedr Ilm lllfx dampers be manipulated and set to control the discharge of products of combustion from said heater accordingly.

The cold water inlet 40, near the bottom of said intermediate section 12, is supplied with cold water by any convenient means` for instance` the pipe 4l controlted by the valve 42 and provided with the drain cock stil. 'Ihe two coupling conduits L14, respectively upon diametrically opposite sides of said heater. connect the upper part of the water chamber 18 of said intermediate section 12. with the lower part of the water chamber 30 of said top seftion 2G and include respective unions 45 by which said two sections of the heater are detachably but rigidly connected in the position shown. Said coupling conduits 4i permit the water to circulate freely in and between 'said sections 12 and 26 and I find it convenient to provide two hot water outlets 47 at the upper end of said top section 26, from which liot water may. be dispensed, conveniently through respective pipes 48 which may extend 4to radiators. However, it is not necessary to have two coupling conduits 44 or twov of said outlets 47. 4

I also find it convenient to provide sait heater with another inlet 50 near the bottom of said intermediate section 12 for connection with a pipe 51 to return the water from any radiators connected with said heater.

I have found that a heater of the type in which the source of heat is within a vessel in which the water is contained and heated is most eiiicient if the source of heat is brought into direct contact with the inner metallic wall of the water container. However, such construction is far less durable than if the metal wall adjacent the source of heat is protected by refractory material. Ordinarily. such linings are extended continuously throughout the inner circumference of such wall, with the result that although the latter is rendered more durable, the efficiency of the heater is materially reduced. Therefore, as the result of extensive experiments, I have found that to provide a vessel with an inner` wall which lis thin in some regions and thick in others and to protect the thin regions with refractory matcrial and expose'the thick regions to the source of heat, permits the necessary extent of contraction and expansion with the maximum eiciency of heating operation consistent with substantially the same durability of the structure as if no portion of the.' inner metal wall thereof were exposed to the source of heat. Therefore, I do not wish to limit myself to the embodiment of thatl feature of my invention in a heater yof the specic construction, arrangement or type chosen for illustration herein;

Laia/isa M'oreover, although I have found it convenient to construct a heater in accordance with my invention so that a solid fuel burner may be used as the source of heat therein; it is to be understood that I do not. desire to limit myself to such a burner, as other forms of burners for using oil or gas may be employed.

rIherefore, I do not desire to limit myself to the precise details of construction and arrangement herein set forth, as it is obvious that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the essential features of my invention, as defined inthe appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a water heater, a unitary cast metal section, comprising an inner cylindrical shell inclosing a fuel and combustion chamber, and an outer cylindrical shell forming a water chamber between them; heat conduct ing metal partition ribs projecting Yinwardly from said inner shell, into said fuel chamber. and extending vertically to the height of the latter; and protective lining slabs of refractory material, fitted between said ribs; whereby said inner shell is protected, but heat is directly conducted to said water chamber;and a fuel doorway extending through both said shells, into saidcombus tion chamber, above said ribs and slabs.

2. In a water heater, a water container formed of cast metal including inner and outerl cylindrical shells with a water chamber between them and having a doorway intermediate of itsheight, extending radially through said water chamber; and a circular series of vertical partition ribs projecting inwardly from said inner shell forming seats between them for lining slabs of refractory material; and a circular series of lining slabs, fitted between said ribs; whereby said inner shell is protected, butheat is directly conducted to said water chamber. y j

3. In a water heater, a water container having an internal shell forming a fire pot, surrounded by a water chamber; a circular series of vertical p rtition ribs projecting inwardly from sai inner shell. forming seats between them for lining slabs of refractory material; and lining slabs of refractory material` fitted between said ribs; whereb said inner shell is protected but heat is directly conducted to said waterrchamber in radial planes parallel with the axis of said fire pot, and convection currents in said water chamber thereby augmented.

In testimony, whereof, L have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this twenty-eighth day of February, 1924.

GEORGE FRNK. REICHMAN. 

